I love picture books that share people finding confidence in themselves or sharing their light with others. Today we have three newly released picture books that are around these themes and one about seasons too! We will start with the season one. It is Lyric's Favorite Season by Kelly Starling Lyons and illustrated by Cathy Ann Johnson. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.
Publisher's Summary:
A little girl sings the praises of all four seasons in a playful picture book that celebrates the joys to be found throughout the year.Lyric loves every single season. Spring makes her so happy! Birds singing, plants sprouting, double-Dutching in the park. But hold on—what’s that peeking around the corner? It’s summer! Beach trips, family cookouts, playing cards, and jamming to hip-hop and merengue. Summer really is the best. Except . . . did someone say fall? Hooray for brilliant colors, leaves swirling, and making sweet potato pie. And then, of course, there’s winter, which brings the magic of snowflakes, the coziness of cocoa and fireplaces, and the joy of holidays.
It’s easy to see why Lyric can’t choose just one favorite season— there’s so much to love about them all!
From Me:
What is your favorite season? As a teacher I have always loved summer, but I really like spring and watching everything coming back to life. Then I love autumn's leaves and beautiful colors and who doesn't love the first snow fall of winter. I guess I am like young Lyric in this book. It is hard to choose a favorite season. Each season brings its own special things. In this beautiful book Lyric shares her favorite things of each season. It includes playing at different locations, gathering with family for different times of the year and so much more! It is all about the happiness that can be found in each season. It cycles through the year and gets back to spring!
This book is perfect for talking about the seasons and for teaching about them. I love how Lyric shares some of her culture with each season from Double Dutch to Kwanzaa but also activities that are not cultural like jumping in puddles and going to the beach. It is a book about the different parts of the year but also about activities and time with family and friends. It is the perfect book to read to teach about the seasons and start a conversation about the kids' favorite things in each season. It is also a great time to teach about different cultures and different cultural activities! Kids can discuss what activities they do and what they have not done but Lyric does.
Our next book is by former U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo. She shares a bit of the Mvskoke Nation's culture with us in Gathering the Light by Joy Harjo and illustrated by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.
Publisher's Summary:
From the former U.S. Poet Laureate and author of the national bestseller Remember, this luminous and lyrical picture book reminds readers to cherish their place in the world and make a positive impact wherever they go.We live in a circle; it begins at sunrise.
Go out to greet the day, to respect, to honor.
Beginning at sunrise, this poetic picture book follows a young girl and her faithful dog through the sacred rhythm of a day. She gathers light in the morning and moves through the day, giving thanks, remembering her loved ones, and releasing the day’s worries. Her journey is a reminder that we all exist as part of a circle—ever moving, ever bright.
In reverent and rhythmic lines, celebrated poet and member of the Mvskoke Nation Joy Harjo has penned an original poem in which she invites readers to live each day with gratitude, respect, and honor. With rich illustrations by Anishinaabe artist Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, Gathering the Light is a poignant affirmation of the connection between all beings and the responsibility to care for one another.
From Me:
Beautiful. That is my word for this book. The illustrations, the message, the feeling you get reading it--all of it is beautiful. It starts with the sunrise and suggests greeting the sun and notice the blessing of its light. This message resonates with me this week since we have not seen the sun much since before the Nor'easter that hit last weekend. The light is so important to all of life and the book asks the reader to notice this and to ask it to bless the path of the day for the reader and those around them, family and friends. The sun is there through it all--seasons, days and storms. At the end of the day the book says to greet the sunset and let go of the failures of the day. Night is here and it is time to release and go to sleep.
I love this book. It is such a wonderful message and within it Joy truly shares a bit of her own culture. Everything in it shares the importance of the light and sharing it as well as the importance of nature. This book is just a beautiful book to read and share whether it is for story time or to introduce indigenous nations and some of their emphasis on nature. Native American Heritage Month is coming up but this book is more than just a book to read once to celebrate it. It reminds us the importance of each part of the day. Greet each day and ask for blessings, end each day with letting go of the bad. If we all live this way it would be so wonderful!!
Our final book is an almost wordless book about finding confidence or perhaps passing on confidence when there is stage fright. The book is The Ribbon by Tessa Blackham. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.
Publisher's Summary:
This uplifting picture book with gorgeous illustrations and minimal text shows the impact of accepting encouragement and paying it forward through the tale of a young ballerina overcoming stage fright.It’s time to go on stage, but one young dancer is nervous. So she runs and hides until an older ballerina hears her sniffles and unties the beautiful red ribbon from her hair, offering it as a small, shining gift of courage.
With the ribbon in hand, the young dancer steps into the light and dances without fear. She takes to the stage over and over again…and years later, when she hears a little sniffle in the dressing room, she knows just what to do.
From Me:
A young ballerina is getting ready to go on stage, but she gets nervous and has stage fright. When the adult backstage says it is time she runs and hides. An older ballerina hears her sniffles and gifts her a ribbon for her hair. The young ballerina wears it and finds courage to go on stage and join her friends. She wears the ribbon for all of her times on stage until the time she drops it. She is still able to go out and dance and after she hears a young ballerina's sniffles and passes on the beautiful ribbon.
This book is a fun story about finding confidence. Since it is almost wordless it allows the reader to create the story. It is a perfect book to share with a child and ask what they think is happening. It is also a beautiful story of the older ballerina passing on the gift of confidence through the ribbon. And I love how the first young ballerina later passes it on to one younger than her! The illustrations are beautiful and the words are limited so the readers get to interpret the story how they want! It is a wonderful gift for a young dancer or anyone who has to face going on stage!
